Croatia observes Antifascist Struggle Day with national public holiday

(Photo: Office of the President of Croatia)

ZAGREB, 22 June 2026 – Croatia marked Antifascist Struggle Day today, honouring the formation of the first armed antifascist unit in Croatia and occupied Europe during the Second World War.

The national public holiday commemorates the establishment of the 1st Sisak Partisan Detachment, formed in the Brezovica Forest near Sisak on 22 June 1941. The unit was created on the same day Nazi Germany launched its invasion of the Soviet Union, ending the Molotov–Ribbentrop non-aggression pact.

The original detachment consisted of 77 fighters, most of whom came from the wider Sisak area and were members of the Communist Party. Of those who joined the unit, 38 survived the war. Among its most notable members were commanders Vlado Janjić-Capo and Marijan Cvetković, as well as Janko Bobetko, who later became a general in the Croatian Army during the Homeland War.

Historians estimate that around 500,000 Croatians participated in the antifascist resistance movement during the war, including approximately 230,000 armed fighters.

Since gaining independence from the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Croatia has observed 22 June as Antifascist Struggle Day. The central commemoration is traditionally held at the Brezovica Memorial Park and organised by the Croatian Alliance of Antifascist Fighters and Antifascists together with the City of Sisak.

(Photo: Office of the President of Croatia)

This year’s ceremony marked the 85th anniversary of the detachment’s formation and was attended by President Zoran Milanović, government and parliamentary representatives, local officials and veterans’ organisations.

Addressing those gathered, President Milanović reflected on the historical significance of the Sisak Partisan Detachment and the wider antifascist movement in Croatia.

He highlighted the role played by the group of communist activists who established the unit in 1941 and stressed the importance of cooperation between Croats and Serbs in the resistance movement.

The President also spoke about the need for open discussion of historical events, preserving national identity and respecting differing views on Croatia’s past.

He noted that interpretations of historical events continue to generate debate in Croatian society and called for dialogue and mutual understanding.

Before the ceremony, wreaths and flowers were laid at the monument dedicated to the First Partisan Detachment in Brezovica Memorial Park in honour of those who took part in the antifascist resistance movement.